Ball-Drop Winners AnnouncedThe windy conditions in May made it impossible for The Chamber and Pine Bottom Aviation to hold the “ball-drop” on the day of the Highmark/Chamber Golf Classic. So the ball drop was held last week at Iron Masters Country Club and the following individuals won cash prizes: Closest to the Hole – Doug Mingle; Second Closest – Nancy Eardley and Third Closest – Jim Berkhimer. Thirty-three other balls landed in the circle and the owners of those balls will receive a free pass to play at Iron Masters.Blair Business Mirror to Be Published TomorrowThe July issue of the Blair Business Mirror will be published Tuesday as a supplement to the Altoona Mirror. A copy of the publication will be mailed to all Chamber member businesses by the end of the week. This month’s cover feature focuses on three Blair County businesses – Curry Supply, Keller Engineers and Sheetz, Inc. – that were recently recognized by Governor Tom Corbett. Inside features include a Q&A with ABCD Corporation’s President Marty Marasco and a close-up look at the next Leadership Blair County Youth class.

Allegheny Lutheran Hosting Thursday’s “Business After Hours” The next Chamber “Business After Hours will be held this Thursday, July 10th, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at The Lutheran Home at Hollidaysburg. Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries is the corporate host. The cost to attend is $6.00 for Members in advance and $7.00 at the door. Non-members may attend at $12.00 in advance and $15.00 at the door. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.

“Backbone Bash” Set for August 1st at Buccinese SocietyThe much-anticipated “Backbone Bash,” sponsored by The Chamber’s Small Business Partners, will be held on Friday, August 1st at the Buccinese Society beginning at 5:30 p.m. The event gives representatives from small businesses the opportunity to network and, in general, have a fun and relaxing time. The cost to attend, which includes food and adult beverages is just $10/person. To help offset the cost of the Bash, which is appropriately named because small business is the “backbone” of the local economy, sponsorships are available. Door prizes are also accepted. For information on either, contact Rachel Litzinger at 943-8151 or email her.Chamber Announces Trip to Thailand/Hong Kong in 2015The success relationship between the Blair County Chamber and Citslinc, Inc. will continue in 2015 with a trip to Thailand and Hong Kong, set for October 30th to November 7th. “The three China trips that we’ve taken with Citslinc have all been first class,” explained Chamber President Joe Hurd. “From talking to some other chambers who have done the Thailand/Hong Kong tour, we have a great experience to look forward to next October.” The Chamber will issue an RFP to its member travel agencies to determine where it will travel in the Spring of 2015. “We’re hoping to be able to offer a great Spring tour as well,” Hurd noted. For more information on the Thailand/Hong Kong tour, call The Chamber at 943-8151.

Coalition on Sustainability to Rebuild MomentumThe Blair County Chamber’s Coalition on Sustainability took an unplanned hiatus this Spring and it intends to make up for lost time. The Coalition, which encourages businesses and schools to take more active roles in preserving the environment and working to educate consumers on the benefits of “going green,” will meet in late August to look at possible projects. The Coalition is also hoping to recruit new members. For more information or to sign-up to be on the Coalition, contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151 or email him.Reminder: Membership Recruitment Can Yield Great RewardsDespite the best efforts of The Chamber’s dedicated staff, it’s been proven time-and-again that the best recruiters of new members to the organization are other members. “Business people want to hear the message from someone who has already invested in the organization,” reported Doug Mingle of Roaring Spring Department Store, The Chamber’s Board Chair. “It just resonates better.” There’s also a financial incentive for members who get others to join. Bring a completed membership application and a form of payment to the Chamber Office and you’ll earn a $25 gift card to the Chamber-business of your choice. “Too hard to pass-up,” Mingle pointed out. For more information on how to be a Chamber recruiter, contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151.

Low-Cost Healthcare: The Chamber Makes It HappenThe Blair County Chamber has partnered with Empower3 Center for Health to offer Chamber-Member employers an affordable community-based health plan for their employees. The plan features level group rates, no deductibles, no pre-existing condition exclusions, substantial prescription drug coverage with co-pays of $10 or less and the opportunity to add dental and vision coverage. Call Maureen Frucella for details. Her number is (814) 317-5063.

Congratulations . . .. . . to the Hollidaysburg Public Library which officially opened on July 2nd
. . . to Smith Transport of Roaring Spring which had a presence on July 4th at the Daytona International Speedway as the main sponsor of the #93 Dodge being driven by Mike Wallace.

Blue Card DiscountsHere are a few of the discounts you can receive with your Chamber Blue Card. Click here to see the full list of Blue Card Discounts. To have an offer listed contact The Chamber at 943-8151.